Doctoral Researcher (f_m_x) – Geomicrobiology Full-time

Doctoral Researcher (f_m_x) – Geomicrobiology

GFZ is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges, from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and sustaining our habitat amid global change to responsibly managing georesources. We are part of the Helmholtz Association, the largest German scientific organisation. With around 1,200 employees as well as ca. 500 guest researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment, aligning cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration. Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies across Earth's system components, leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructure to research solutions and to transfer our knowledge to society. We are doing this according to our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.

For section 3.3 Geomicrobiology (department “Geochemistry”), we are looking for a:

The ERC Synergy project “Archean Park” is a collaboration between the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences and the Universities of Duisburg-Essen, Münster, and Bremen. The project aims to identify relics of ancient cell biochemistry in subsurface ecosystems with high CO2 concentrations.

In addition to regular sampling of deep groundwater with extremely high CO2 concentrations at an existing deep borehole in the Czech Republic, further deep boreholes are being drilled in Germany and Italy. The GFZ is responsible for coordinating all fieldwork. The project is highly interdisciplinary, with regular in-person and virtual meetings with all project participants; reciprocal laboratory visits are an integral part of the project.

GFZ's focus in this project, besides planning and conducting the fieldwork, is enrichment and cultivation of novel microorganisms under high hydrostatic pressures and CO2 concentrations. Physiological experiments will then be performed on these cultures. Furthermore, the collected fluid and rock samples will be characterised mineralogically and (bio)geochemically. All analyses are conducted in close cooperation with the project partners.

Your Responsibilities:

• Participation in field campaigns
• Set-up and maintenance of anaerobic enrichment cultures, partially under high pressure
• Geochemical analysis of fluid and rock samples using ion chromatography, X-ray fluorescence, ICP, titration, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
• Turnover rate and incorporation measurements with stable and radioisotopes

Your Qualifications:

• MSc or equivalent in Geology, Biology, Microbiology, or related fields
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary work, preferably proven by MSc work and/or previous occupation
• Willingness to participate in field campaigns lasting several weeks
• Experience with anaerobic microbiological cultivation techniques, ideally including high-pressure cultivation
• Experience with geochemical laboratory techniques
• Willingness to work with radioisotopes
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; German language skills are desirable
• Driver's license class B or equivalent

What We Offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Public service benefits
• Extensive training opportunities
• Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centr
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• Institute day-care centre on site
• Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus

Start date: As soon as possible

Fixed-term: 30th April 2030

Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.

Working hours: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)

Place of work: Potsdam

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 3rd May 2026. Please use our online application form only.

Requested documents: CV (including contact details for three references), letter of motivation and grades/certificates

The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Prof. Dr. Jens Kallmeyer via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.